Database Users

Backup Software Found!

I bought Spb Backup a couple of days ago and have just had a major problem with no option but to hard reset.
Spb Backup... wow!
It put me right back to where I was before, applications, Registry hacks all my vga settings.. the lot! its like I never even did a hard reset!
The backup file was stored on the SD card and its an excutable, you just run it, correct the clock and hey presto jobs a goodun! 8)
oh and activesync didnt see any difference!

Did you notice any duplication of application icons, something I notice in another backup application?

That's true. Nice program and cheaper than Sprite backup......

cktlcmd said:
Did you notice any duplication of application icons, something I notice in another backup application?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope didn't notice any duplication, not found any ill affects and like previously said its cheap

dherrero said:
That's true. Nice program and cheaper than Sprite backup......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya, also Spb seems to have much better compression than Sprite.. AND Spb leaves you with an exe thats self installable

One more question please. Can I store and run SPB Backup application from my SD Card?

cktlcmd said:
One more question please. Can I store and run SPB Backup application from my SD Card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't tried that, I don't see why not. The only problem that you might have is if you have scheduled backups setup.. because the app needs to wake the system and the SD card may not be ready quick enough. I have mine installed in the extended ROM.
Download the trial and give it a shot

How do you install it to extended ROM?

One problem I found with SPB Backup, whilst backing up, it hangs at midpoint and then finally finishes but with an error message stating that file 'history.txt' wasnt backed up. Happens everytime. Any idea why?
Thanks. Cheers

I have been trialling this in Beta for a month or so. Even the beta's were good.
However, I do recommend anybody that is considering using it after a failure or error, to hard reset the device prior to the restore, otherwise it overrides and adds to what is already there, so if there are extra files and extra registry entries, they will remain.
The originals will all be restored correctly though, so you are unlikely to detect a problem.
I have restored, and hard reset on many occassions throughout the beta, and it works a dream.

Is it possible to backup, upgrade to a new complete ROM and then restore?
Or when you upgrade to a new rom you cannot use older ROMs backup?
Thank you.

I dont believe you can restore over an upgraded rom.
primarily cause the rom files are not copied. my entire backup, compressed 11mb.
you probably could, and when we were fiddling with WM2003SE for the himalaya model, we used this peculiar feature to do that.
YOu might try it and see, but some of the system files, dlls and hidden files may get modified some how, dont know enough about it. depends on the size and extent of the upgrade, it will probably work, but maybe a little unstable.
Either way, its not recommended. What I do is a fresh rebuild without syncing, with all my registrations, connections, and website usernames and all customisations done, and then call it a "virgin" backup, so that it can always be a perfect starting point for a base machine on a new ROM. This is then kept for te life of that ROM incase I want to go back to a nice clean environment without to much effort.

Hi does anyone know if this will backup txt messages to

cktlcmd said:
One more question please. Can I store and run SPB Backup application from my SD Card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, you cand. I did it

simon_darley said:
I have been trialling this in Beta for a month or so. Even the beta's were good.
However, I do recommend anybody that is considering using it after a failure or error, to hard reset the device prior to the restore, otherwise it overrides and adds to what is already there, so if there are extra files and extra registry entries, they will remain.
The originals will all be restored correctly though, so you are unlikely to detect a problem.
I have restored, and hard reset on many occassions throughout the beta, and it works a dream.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldnt, bacause you need to restore the registry to make your apps working again but in the new ROM the registry structure or data may (and normally do) change, so you would corrupt the new rom

scotjen1 said:
Hi does anyone know if this will backup txt messages to
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, it backs up all your text messages and your emails

Thanks vbjoe am installing now.

Problems on my JASJAR
First of all it duplicates Alarm notifications on my JASJAR. Secondly if you hard reset the device and then restore the backup, it always hangs at almost 100%. Had to cancel the restore and restart the device. But once restarted, it looks like everything is restored despite that restore hangup. But i am not certain, might be some problem in restoring with i come across later in future.
Can't depend on it.

Backup program
Try Sunnysoft backup manager.
http://www.sunnysoft.cz/en_clanek.php?clanekid=51

hangs happened to me, i left it on its own and it did finish restore on my wizard

Creating an image of my system state

I have two universals and would like to clone the second one with the first one. Kind of like ghost that creates an identical image.
I don't want to go through the tedious process of having to install everything from scratch.
Also, using a backup program is a bad option, they just restore files/registry and stuff. They don't restore the system state (i.e. if file deletions are to be made they won't do it, they will just restore files not on destination machine or replace existing with newer version)
but they will not like delete stuff that I don't want. For example I have a special arrangment of program groups. Using a backup program and then restoring it will leave the initial windows program groups and stuff, and would just append to it my new groups rather then delete all groups.
I tried XDA_Tools but it's probably only working with old models because it didn't work with my universal, couldn't read or write any image.
Anyone's got a solution I could use for cloning a device state to another one ?

I've used spb backup for this, and dont really understand the problem you have with backup programs.

6680abhi said:
I've used spb backup for this, and dont really understand the problem you have with backup programs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backup programs do not restore to system state and are far from giving an identical replicated, like you have ghost on PC.
For example, you backup your PPC deleting many rubbish and your program groups look all different, you got rid of many redundant jpg files and rearranged your program groups the way you like it.
Now, you take this backup and restore it on a nother brand new machine, what you will get is a setup of what that machine looks brand new and IN ADDITION you will get also all the program groups and stuff that were restored from the backup. So you end up with much garbage that exists after a hard reset. An image of a machine is byte wise, not file wise and so it gives an identical copy of the machine, that why Norton Ghost was invented for the PC as well as many other programs.
I am looking for such a solution that would allow me to deploy the SAME system on more than one universal.

SPB Backup does exactly what you are looking for on my Exec.
If I hard reset and restore a FULL backup made with SPB (about 11Mb usually),my Exec is identical to before the reset.
Even stuff that I have deleted from the Rom is gone.
I would definately give it a try.

liverman666 said:
SPB Backup does exactly what you are looking for on my Exec.
If I hard reset and restore a FULL backup made with SPB (about 11Mb usually),my Exec is identical to before the reset.
Even stuff that I have deleted from the Rom is gone.
I would definately give it a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I'll try that.

Use SKTOols 3.0, Spb Backup 1.5 or Sprite Backup 5.1. Read / search my blog on all thes ethree programs - I've elaborated on and compared them all.

Windows Mobile 6.0: backup issue

Hi there,
Using the brilliant SPB Backup on Windows Mobile 5.0 was something that always worked fine and I even needed to restore a backup when something went wrong.
Sure a neat piece of software that I don't want to miss.
On Windows Mobile 6.0 things are a little different. Making a backup works (I didn't try restore, because there's need to yet) but when making the backup is completed, the software comes up with a message that several issues occured.
When click on the info screen to see what issues, SPB Backup says:
Unable to read from file "\Windows\compimeh.dat".
However, the progress bar for backup completion seems to be at 100%.
What type of file is compimeh.dat?
Any ideas of how this problem can be solved? Is my backup truly a backup even without this particular file?
THNX!!

Edit this string:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Spb Software House\Spb Backup\SkipErrFiles
Add new string:
Name 6
Value: %Windows%\compimeh.dat
You add a new string for all the errors putting the run in exact way
Enjoy..

Worked!!
Thanks!!

Wooo....
This is helpful, thank you for your imput!
Leo

SPB vs. Sprite
Do you also have a solution for Sprite Backup?
Same issue, compimeh.dat!
Where do I put the string there, 'Sprite folder'?
And what about if you skip the errors, does the restore work ok?
Greeting,
Leo
IRREAL said:
Edit this string:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Spb Software House\Spb Backup\SkipErrFiles
Add new string:
Name 6
Value: %Windows%\compimeh.dat
You add a new string for all the errors putting the run in exact way
Enjoy..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Hi all,
Just did a full restore from SPB Backup.
Also had the same compimeh.dat issue.
Everything went just fine. And I must say that I have all my software installed in the storage card.
So, no problem at all with that file.
IMHO, we should not instruct SPB Backup nor any other backup soft to skip the errors, cause at least we know like this that that was a problem in the backup process.
Regards.

Backup
If you restore you will know what that error message meens.
If you trust it that way
Maybe it doesn't restore at all.
You should think about what's compimeh.dat?
Maybe it restore's with errors in apps?
Do you think it is exactly the same as before the backup?
I doubt?
Cheers...
Leo
bizao said:
Hi all,
Just did a full restore from SPB Backup.
Also had the same compimeh.dat issue.
Everything went just fine. And I must say that I have all my software installed in the storage card.
So, no problem at all with that file.
IMHO, we should not instruct SPB Backup nor any other backup soft to skip the errors, cause at least we know like this that that was a problem in the backup process.
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I'm just saying I had the same error... either way I tryed a restore and everything went just fine (without any error).
Now... if you trust it that way, well... it's just up to you, don't you think?
Since the restore I made yesterday, I had no problems at all with any application.
But instead of "You should think about what's compimeh.dat?" (looks like you know what the file is about), you could tell us.
And at least it looks and works like before the backup.
Regards.

Should think about
Sorry for that, it was not my intention to look smart, I'm only trying to say that if compimeh.dat is not included maybe a important part is missing when you restore.
Greetings,
Leo

Hi Guys,
I've fixed the issue above on my Exec but one important feature I really do need that seems to have been lost in the upgrade to WM6 is the ability to use Scheduled Backups. It is critical that I backup at a certain time on a particular day. I know I can do it manually but I can't afford to lose the files concerned if something should happen and I forget!
I can set a scheduled backup with no problem but when the time comes around SPB Backup starts up and then shuts down again right before the actual backup begins.
Any ideas from anyone? Would be much appreciated.
If I can't get this to work I many have to go back to my original ROM.
Cheers

Hello!
I have Jasjar 2.01.08 Wm6 ROM and since I upgraded to Wm6 Scheduled backup doesnt work with SPB.
I have scheduled everyday at 6AM to backup but it doesnt do the job, never did!
Please help!
Deiota

IRREAL
Thanks a lot man for the registry entry. Very Grateful

Laurentius26 said:
If you restore you will know what that error message meens.
If you trust it that way
Maybe it doesn't restore at all.
You should think about what's compimeh.dat?
Maybe it restore's with errors in apps?
Do you think it is exactly the same as before the backup?
I doubt?
Cheers...
Leo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too am a little concerned about applying the registry hack. How come we have to skip it? What is that error anyway?

Compimeh.dat is where your autocomplete words are stored in the dictionary as far as I remember.

Lakota said:
Compimeh.dat is where your autocomplete words are stored in the dictionary as far as I remember.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. If I apply the hack, does it reset automatically after the backup?

New Sunnysoft Backup
Anyone tried Sunnysoft Backup? They have a new version: http://www.sunnysoft.com/software.php?idarticle=245
Chearper here: http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=3070

IRREAL said:
Edit this string:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Spb Software House\Spb Backup\SkipErrFiles
Add new string:
Name 6
Value: %Windows%\compimeh.dat
You add a new string for all the errors putting the run in exact way
Enjoy..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for this IRREAL.

So the registry entry just skips the compimeh.dat file?

Any freeware utility to edit compimeh in wm6 windows mobile 6?
Does anyone know of any freeware utility to edit compimeh (the auto completion user dictionary) in wm6 (windows mobile 6)?
Lakota said:
Compimeh.dat is where your autocomplete words are stored in the dictionary as far as I remember.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I was having the same problem with btdisk.tmp but I always ignored it. It never affected my Uni in an adverse manner, but now that this was posted I can just make that single yellow icon go away . BTW Spb Backup rocks, with its compression and self-extracting backup. I have scheduled mine to take a back up every morning at 3:10AM. You can see the schedule in my screen shot on another thread regarding Universal Today screens.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=274873

SPB Backup V Sprite Backup Manager

Has anyone tried both of the above? Which is regarded as better?
Do they backup everything?
I need to send my machine back to HTC for a repair and they say it will lose everything so I will back it up. So I want to back up everything!
Before I get a program to do this can anyone shed some light on which is best and why?

Vote for SPB. Extremely fool proof. Havent used Sprite.

My Vote is for SPB
I have been using SPB for 2 years and I have to say it is the best for me , easy to customize and quick, has all the features that u need. creates a self extracting restore file u don't need to reinstall SPB to use it. Give it a try. Sprite is just as good I have used it as well but I have to recommend SPB for ease of use.
Ed...

Spb for me too.
If i remember correctly Sprite does NOT Backup the Registry.

Vote for SPB too.
I never have a problem with.

ausi said:
Spb for me too.
If i remember correctly Sprite does NOT Backup the Registry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, from a hard reset by starting the self extracting executable my device would be returned to its original state? Is that correct?

for_me, Spb Backup

Sprite is more capable - can restore to a different device something spb cannot do?

More q's
And what if you change ROM in the meantime? Or if you upgrade to WM6 and the backup was done on the WM5?

The FD said:
So, from a hard reset by starting the self extracting executable my device would be returned to its original state? Is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly correct!!........i do it all the time without any problems.

sabestian said:
And what if you change ROM in the meantime? Or if you upgrade to WM6 and the backup was done on the WM5?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neither Sprite nor Spb will help you there, remember you're basically changing the OS while your installed programs relate to the installed OS at that time.

ausi said:
Neither Sprite nor Spb will help you there, remember you're basically changing the OS while your installed programs relate to the installed OS at that time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So they don't actually change the OS back to the version that was previously installed? All the programs do is put back what system settings and programs were previously installed?
Is that correct?

The FD said:
So they don't actually change the OS back to the version that was previously installed? All the programs do is put back what system settings and programs were previously installed?
Is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes!......... they are basically a Backup program which when in trouble they will restore your Device to the same state and configuration as when you did the backup. This saves a lot of time when you Device gets totally stuck and needs a "Hard" Reset.......then you only need to double click on the backup exe. file (which should be on your SD card) and "Walla" you get it all back without having to waste hours in reloading your original programs.

Backing up/Cloning

I'm sure that all of you that are programing have had to restore your Phone back to a workable state.. was wondering which app would work to backup/clome my phone to a file that I could restore if things go totally belly up.. any suggestions would be appreciated.. thanks
kobejim

clone = expensive
to clone : spb software house clone software
expensiveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
if you hardrest yocan use to get exactly what u had before
but many backup cheap or free software : try SIP backup (sticky at this forum)
this only gets your contacts, messages, email..etc
but if you hard reset you loose all installed software
good luck
kobejim2 said:
I'm sure that all of you that are programing have had to restore your Phone back to a workable state.. was wondering which app would work to backup/clome my phone to a file that I could restore if things go totally belly up.. any suggestions would be appreciated.. thanks
kobejim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

kobejim2 said:
I'm sure that all of you that are programing have had to restore your Phone back to a workable state.. was wondering which app would work to backup/clome my phone to a file that I could restore if things go totally belly up.. any suggestions would be appreciated.. thanks
kobejim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your best try is to check excellent Backup bible by Menneisyys here. Commercial apps in that field are far superior to freeware/manufacturer issued backup utilities. If you only need PIM data backup then PIM Backup will do its job very well. It is also a good idea to have a dump of your original ROM backed up in case of warranty claims.
However use of backup utilities for migrating from one ROM to another is rather problematic (only Sprite Backup is capable of this and the results vary).

SPB Backup. Great tool, well worth the money.
WB

Because each month a new custom ROM is released, and I can't wait to test them, I use PIM Backup for contacts, messages, email.. and for useful software I want on my PPC, I just make a single CAB with WinCE Cab manager.